The prospects, who included recent Flyers draft picks and free-agent signees as well as current college and junior league hockey players, endured a tough week of training, which included practices, scrimmages and training from members of the Navy SEALs.
All five of the players with organization links have spent a lot of time around the Flyers locker room over the years, but the prospect camp allows the team's coaching staff to get a long, hard look at them on the ice. Experiencing his first professional prospect camp, Coburn, a rising senior at Union College, said playing for an organization he has been tied to for years gave the week a special significance.
"It's been an awesome experience. The Flyers are a very loyal organization. I'm very humbled that I was able to come here and have the opportunity to show my skills in front of these guys," Coburn said. "Right now, it's not a tryout for me; this camp is just for me to get experience and get better. But I would love to play here one day."
Coburn was watched extensively by Flyers scouts over the course of his college season as the team scouted his defense partner, Shayne Gostisbehere, who was the Flyers' third-round selection in the 2012 draft. Gostisbehere is attending prospect camp as well, and the two have remained a defensive pairing for most of their drills.
"It's nice to have a familiar face out on the ice. I think it's definitely an advantage to get to play with someone you already have so much chemistry with," Coburn said. "People adapt pretty quickly to playing with other partners, but I love playing with Shayne and getting to experience this with him."
Greg's older brother was excited by the fact that his sibling had the opportunity to play with the Flyers this summer. Although the camp's college players are just there for the experience, Braydon understands that being invited to a prospect camp indicates the organization's serious interest. Braydon participated in prospect camps for the Atlanta Thrashers, the team that eventually drafted him eighth overall in 2003.
"I know that it's something Greg has been taking very seriously. He's put in a lot of work this summer. I'm very proud of him for that," Braydon Coburn said. "The Flyers have some great people that develop talent and it's been a really great experience for him."
Braydon, who is 3 years older than 24-year-old Greg, dreams of being able to play on the same team at the NHL level. That dream may be closer to a reality than he ever expected, though it's not going to come without more grit and determination from his younger brother.
"To play with Greg would be an unbelievable feeling. I know how much hard work he's put in," Braydon said. "I think it would be a unique opportunity for me, but Greg knows that he still has a lot of hard work to put in to make it to this level."
Living up to their reputation as a family organization, the Flyers are relying on players of the past and present to guide the organization's future in the right direction. n
